Women and Newborn Health Service
Services A — Z
For relationship info help & advice call 1800 MY LINE (1800 695 463) or check out www.theline.gov.au
Myths & Facts
Myth: Guys can't be sexually assaulted
Fact: Both guys and girls can be sexually assaulted. 1 in 20 men and 1 in 5 women in Australia over the age of 15 years have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006). Personal safety survey (Reissue), Canberra.)
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Girls provoke sexual assault by the way they dress or act.
Fact: No person provokes or asks for sexual assault. Girls dress and/or flirt to feel attractive. Perpetrators are responsible for their own actions.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: Girls enjoy being sexually assaulted.
Fact: Any form of sexual violence is frightening and humiliating and no-one enjoys an experience like that.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: Most sexual assaults occur at night time in dark alleys.
Fact: Many sexual assaults occur in the daytime and in the home of the victim.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers.
Fact: Most sexual assaults (80%) are committed by a person known to the victim.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006). Personal safety survey (Reissue), Canberra)
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: Guys cannot be sexually assaulted because they can defend themselves.
Fact: Many people (guys and girls) who are sexually assaulted are so traumatised by a sexual assault that they freeze and may be unable to react. This is a biological function and is not something that a person has control over.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: Having an unwanted sexual act which the person did not consent to is OK if it's with your girlfriend/boyfriend.
Fact: Having an unwanted sexual act with your girlfriend/boyfriend without consent is still sexual assault and therefore against the law.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: A guy cannot be sexually assaulted by a girl.
Fact: Although males are usually sexually assaulted by another male, some are assaulted by females.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: Someone who has been drinking or taking drugs is asking to be sexually assaulted
Fact: Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs can prevent you from giving consent to sexual acts with another person. It is a crime to have sex with a person who cannot give consent due to being underage, intoxicated, unconscious, asleep or that has a decision-making disability.
Myths & Facts
Myth: Guys only sexually assault others because they are frustrated or they cannot control themselves.
Fact: Some sexual assaults are well planned in advance and do not involve a loss of control on the perpetrator’s part.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: Sexual assaults from drink ‘spiking’ are due to the use of the drug Rohypnol.
Fact: Most sexual assaults involving drink ‘spiking’ are due to additional amounts of alcohol, not the use of Rohypnol.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: If someone agrees to kissing and fondling, that is the same as agreeing to "going all the way".
Fact: All people have the right to determine what sexual acts they are comfortable with and can choose to change their minds at any time.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: "No" can sometimes mean "yes" – women sometimes play 'hard to get'.
Fact: No means NO.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: If you buy someone dinner and drinks then it is OK to expect that they will/should have sex with you.
Fact: Just because you are buying something for someone does not entitle you to have sex with them. Sex without real consent is a sexual assault and therefore against the law.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: Guys who are sexually assaulted are, or will, become homosexual.
Fact: Sexual orientation is not affected or influenced by sexual assault.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: Males who sexually assault other males are homosexual.
Fact: Most males who sexually assault other males actually describe themselves as heterosexual and are often in a relationship with a female at the time.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: If someone says yes to a sexual act but changes their mind during the act it is OK to continue.
Fact: Consent can be given and taken away at any time. If someone says no to something, stop.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: It is OK to have sex with your regular partner while they are asleep.
Fact: Someone who is asleep cannot give legal consent. Sex without consent is sexual assault.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: Using the 'pill' is a form of safe sex.
Fact: Use of the 'pill' reduces the chances of getting pregnant but it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The best products for safer sex are condoms which can reduce pregnancy and contracting STIs.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: It is OK to prevent or stop your partner from talking to any other girls or guys.
Fact: A respectful relationship should be free from power and control imbalances and instead nurture trust and respect.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
Myths & Facts
Myth: Is it really sexual assault if someone does not scream or fight and does not have any injuries?
Fact: Most people don't scream or fight, despite what you see on TV. They may not have screamed or fought during the sexual assault because they were frozen with fear. This is a common reaction for many sexual assault victims.
Look out for more myths and facts about relationships and sexual assault
What's OK and
what's NOT OK!
When it comes to relationships, you have to have respect. It's about knowing where to draw the line, making that clear difference between what's OK and what's NOT OK. SARC Respectful Relationships provides free one hour interactive sessions to secondary students, and attends health expos and community events so young people can become more aware of healthy relationships. They also provide a range of fact sheets and other print and web resources specific to young people.
What is a respectful relationship?
sex + consent = respectful relationship
sex - consent = sexual assault (rape)
“Why is consent so important?”
“Consent is important when you are involved in any sexual activity including touching, kissing and penetration. Everyone involved needs to consent to what is happening. Giving consent means that everyone involved can clearly and freely agree to the sexual activities that are happening. If anyone is not willing or able to give consent then the activity is considered sexual assault and it is against the law.”
To give consent you must be:
Ready (16 +)
Willing (you get to choose)
Able (not drunk, stoned, asleep or unconscious)
This Respectful Relationships initiative is funded by the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
